Report Condemns FBI for Violations in 2016 Clinton Probe But Finds No Political Bias

What’s the story?

The Justice Department’s Inspector General has released its report into the FBI investigation of Hillary Clinton’s emails.

Here are some highlights:

• The investigation found “no evidence” of political bias. However, the IG said the behavior of special agent Peter Strzok and lawyer Lisa Page – who exchanged anti-Trump text messages - "cast a cloud over the entire FBI investigation and sowed doubt about the FBI’s work on, and its handling of, the Midyear investigation."
• The IG found that former FBI Director James Comey’s various announcements about the state of the Clinton email investigation were "extraordinary and insubordinate," and none of his explanations amounted to a "persuasive basis for deviating from well-established department policies."
• However, the report said there was no evidence that Comey’s July 5, 2016 statement on the investigation – where he announced the FBI was recommending no charges against Clinton for her handling of classified information while she was secretary of state - was an effort to influence the election or based on bias.
• Comey used a personal Gmail account to conduct FBI business on multiple occasions while director of the bureau.
• The report "identified numerous FBI employees, at all levels of the organization and with no official reason to be in contact with the media, who were nevertheless in frequent contact with reporters." These FBI employees "improperly received benefits from reporters, including tickets to sporting events, golfing outings, drinks and meals, and admittance to nonpublic social events.

The full 568-page report can be found here.

In response to the report, Comey tweeted:

What do you think?

Do you agree with the findings? Do they influence your opinion on the Mueller investigation? Does it vindicate President Donald Trump’s firing of Comey? Does Congress need to follow up on any of the report’s findings? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: Justice.gov)